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You know, I wasn’t that excited about the upcoming Dreamworks Animation flick Kung Fu Panda until very recently. It was mostly because I allowed Kevin Carr’s anti-Jack Black venom get ahold of me. Then, after speaking with some people who have seen rough cuts of the film, I realized that this film doesn’t look half bad. It also reminded me that unlike some of my friends, I think Jack Black is hilarious. So I don’t care what you say, people of the world, I am excited for Kung Fu Panda. Deal with it.

On top of my affinity for Jack Black-style humor, I also learned today while scanning over the film’s press notes that Ian McShane voiced the evil tiger Tai Lung. Yes, the Ian McShane. He was the sole reason that I gave Hot Rod a chance and he will be just another reason for me to see Kung Fu Panda. The man is, in a word, a badass. What more do you need?

Ok, how about 24 new images, fresh off the Paramount Pictures “Approved” list:

Kung Fu Panda is directed by Mark Osborne and John Stevenson, who are newcomers to the director’s chairs, but have both been around animation world a bit. Osborne directed the ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic music video “Jurassic Park” and Stevenson served as a storyboard artist on the first two Shrek films and Madagascar. Panda will also star the vocal talents of Lucy Lui, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie and Seth Rogen. It karate-chops its way into theaters on June 6th after making its premiere this week at the Cannes Film Festival.